What does this sign at Kents Bank mean?

[thenorthern]

At Kents Bank I have noticed on Platform 2 when exiting the station via the crossing this sign informs that anyone crossing the line by use of the crossing after 23:00 and before 07:00 must use the telephone before crossing.

While it might seem straightforward that one needs to phone the signal box before crossing in reality it's not the easiest thing given that getting to the telephone requires going through a gate then walking to the other end of the barrier to get to the phone as shown in the Google Streetview link below.

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The last train of the day and the last on Platform 2 at Kents Bank is of course at 23:57 towards Barrow.

The first train at Kents Bank on Platform 2 is the 06:09 service from Preston to Barrow.

 

[BeijingDave]

Probably to check that no freight service, which might not be easily visible in the dark and wouldn't be on public passenger timetables, is passing through.

 

[Acathater]

Maybe it's something to do with the fact the crossing only runs to the beach - there's no road to anywhere unless you're going to try to cross the sands to Hest Bank or Arnside via the old tidal route. And you'd have to be daft to try that at night - especially as there's no way the Sands Guide would take you. It's a dangerous place at all times - lethal at night.

 

[duffield]

Maybe it's something to do with the fact the crossing only runs to the beach - there's no road to anywhere unless you're going to try to cross the sands to Hest Bank or Arnside via the old tidal route. And you'd have to be daft to try that at night - especially as there's no way the Sands Guide would take you. It's a dangerous place at all times - lethal at night.

I wonder if local young folks would use it in warm weather to go down and party on the beach? If so it might get quite a lot of late night traffic then.

 

[edwin_m]

Possibly the crossing has a whistle board but train drivers aren't expected to sound their horns during night time. Therefore there is less warning of an approaching train during those hours.

 

[Acathater]

I wonder if local young folks would use it in warm weather to go down and party on the beach? If so it might get quite a lot of late night traffic then.

It's not really that kind of beach - more boggy salt marsh. Only vehicular traffic is the fishermen with their old tractors and quad bikes. Not really a party place

 

[thenorthern]

Given it's at the end of Platform 2, I don't have a photo of it but it's on the last lamp post which I have linked on Google Streetview where it is now, (the lamp post saying stop look listen) should anyone getting off the 23:57 train call the signal box using the telephone before crossing the track to exit the station?

I have never got off the 23:57 train so never needed to do it but I assume if I did then I should call the signal box before crossing the track?

Google Maps

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www.google.com

 

[Acathater]

Is there a change in the way the gates work at those hours? Are they open by default during the day but closed overnight? Maybe closed to keep the sheep off the line?

 

[thenorthern]

Is there a change in the way the gates work at those hours? Are they open by default during the day but closed overnight? Maybe closed to keep the sheep off the line?

No the pedestrian gates are just normal gates with self closing hinges. The type with springs on them. The road barriers for the crossing are ones that only open when someone asks for them to be opened.

 

[philthetube]

Possibly the crossing has a whistle board but train drivers aren't expected to sound their horns during night time. Therefore there is less warning of an approaching train during those hours.

makes perfect sense to me.

 

[6Gman]

makes perfect sense to me.

Presumably it's about allowing 8 hours uninterrupted sleep for nearby residents?

(The Highway Code uses the same 2300-0700 for the period where a motor vehicle horn should only be used in urban areas for immediate danger.)

 

[thenorthern]

I spoke to Network Rail on Twitter by DM asking them what it meant. They said it meant I needed to use the phone before crossing. I asked why and which phone and they could not tell me the exact one.

Part of me wants to travel on the 23:57 train and then use the phone at the crossing which requires going through a gate and then walking to the other end of the barrier just to hear the reaction of the person on the other side. I am guessing not a lot of people actually use the phone to cross on foot.

 

[Pinus contorta]

I spoke to Network Rail on Twitter by DM asking them what it meant. They said it meant I needed to use the phone before crossing. I asked why and which phone and they could not tell me the exact one.

Part of me wants to travel on the 23:57 train and then use the phone at the crossing which requires going through a gate and then walking to the other end of the barrier just to hear the reaction of the person on the other side. I am guessing not a lot of people actually use the phone to cross on foot.

That's the last train and it often seems to run empty either from Preston or Manchester as it's often not got a guard. I wouldn't choose to travel on it. Even though I have done in the past. A quick look and it seems to have done that last night.

Also thinking about it. Because it is tidal further down the path they maybe won't want to encourage folks onto it at night as someone alluded to further upthread. You have no idea what the tide and the quick sand is like if youre not from the area.

 

[Lewisham2221]

Presumably it's about allowing 8 hours uninterrupted sleep for nearby residents?

(The Highway Code uses the same 2300-0700 for the period where a motor vehicle horn should only be used in urban areas for immediate danger.)

Officially 2359 - 0600 for whistle boards, according the rule book. 2300 - 0700 may just be a "belt and braces" approach to allow a margin of error. The line at this location certainly looks to be on a curve that would severely limit the ability of a crossing user to see an approaching train, thus without the horn being sounded at the whistle board, a crossing user would have very little notice of an approaching train.

 

[thenorthern]

That's the last train and it often seems to run empty either from Preston or Manchester as it's often not got a guard. I wouldn't choose to travel on it. Even though I have done in the past. A quick look and it seems to have done that last night.

Also thinking about it. Because it is tidal further down the path they maybe won't want to encourage folks onto it at night as someone alluded to further upthread. You have no idea what the tide and the quick sand is like if youre not from the area.

Ah yes the joys of waiting at Lancaster station and hearing that the 20:51 train is cancelled so I go to Tite & Locke for a beer, then the the 22:09 is cancelled so I go to Tite and Locke for a second pint. Then the 23:38 train is also cancelled and I can't go to Tite and Locke as it's now closed so I am stuck at Lancaster for another 2 hours while they order a minibus.

That really has happened to me several times.

 

[Acathater]

Ah yes the joys of waiting at Lancaster station and hearing that the 20:51 train is cancelled so I go to Tite & Locke for a beer, then the the 22:09 is cancelled so I go to Tite and Locke for a second pint. Then the 23:38 train is also cancelled and I can't go to Tite and Locke as it's now closed so I am stuck at Lancaster for another 2 hours while they order a minibus.

That really has happened to me several times.

Stuck in a Lancaster brewery pub.....such hardship